SCHOOL LAWS 



ENACTED BY 
THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA 



1915 



I 



rf£7 




/^ 



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. 
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 



Montgomery, Ala. 

BROWN PRINTING COMPANY, 

State Printers and Binders, 

1915. 



D. of D, 
NOV 21 I91@ 






FOREWORD 



!£l 



OR the convenience of school officials and the gen- 
eral public, I am compiling in convenient form 
the educational measures passed by the 1915 ses- 
sion of the Legislature, and am giving along 
with each a brief explanatory statement. 

All these laws are of importance and three represent 
the climax of activities on the part of all the educational 
forces of the State covering a period of more than thirty 
years — local taxation, better administration and super- 
vision of schools, and compulsory attendance. All the 
measures have been worked out with care and delibera- 
tion and in such a way as to make them all parts of one 
related scheme. 

It is my firm conviction that they will bear the closest 
scrutiny and that no man can give them intelligent con- 
sideration without arriving at the conclusion that Ala- 
bama now has upon her statute books as sane and as con- 
structive educational machinery as is possible under our 
present Constitution. 

There will always be differences of opinion about the 
wisdom of any law, and I do not expect any exception 
in the case of these measures, but I am fully persuaded 
that the fair-minded person will be willing to exercise 
the "suspended judgment" until the test of experience 
may justify final conclusions. 

This pamphlet is given to the public, therefore, in the 
hope that it may serve as a simple and convenient medi- 
um for first hand acquaintance with the educational leg- 
islation of 1915. It should be filed as a supplement to 
the 1915 edition of the General Public School Laws. 

Wm. p. Feagin^ 
Supt. of Education. 



EDUCATIONAL LAWS ENACTED BY THE 
LEGISLATURE OF 1915 



Page 

1. Providing for the creation of an Illiteracy Commission 5 

2. Authorizing women to serve on boards of education 7 

3. Authorizing the State Board of Examiners to issue and ex- 
tend teachers' certificates, and repealing the provision for 
temporary certificates 8 

4. Prohibiting the employment of public school teachers un- 
der seventeen years of age 11 

5. Authorizing the submission of a local tax amendment 12 

6. Making local taxation effective 14 

7. Making an annual appropriation for a^jf county levying 
and collecting a special county school tax-..L 19 

8. Providing for a change in the method of electing boards 
of education in cities of 2,000 and less than 6,000 inhabit- 
ants, and placing the schools of incorporated towns with 
less than 2,000 inhabitants under the control of the county 
board of education 21 

9. Providing for a county board of education elected by the 
people from the county-at-large ^ r:!".^. 22 

10. Requiring boards of education to admit pupils who live 
more than three miles from a high school to any public 
school, and requiring the teacher, if competent, to teach 
such pupils any subject not beyond the high school grades 28 

11. Amending the school textbook commission law 28 

12. Requiring private, denominational, and parochial sc^pijls — ""^ 
to make reports \:l?r 29 

13. Compulsory attendance '^beginning October 1, 1917)^^^;^,,„««»r"»°'S0' 

14. Providing for an annual appropriation of 'f-l^jOUO for the 
erection, repair, and equipment of rural schools 38 

15. Changing the plan for the holding of teachers' institutes 43 



ALABAMA LEGISLATURE 

Regular Session 1915. 
No. 37.) (S. 168. 

AN ACT 

To provide for the creation of a commission for the removal of 
adult illiteracy in Alabama, to be known as "The Alabama Il- 
literacy Commission," and to provide for the duties and. powers 
thereof. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

1. That there is hereby created a commission to be 
known as ''The Alabama Illiteracy Commission/' which 
shall be composed of five persons, both men and women, 
including the State superintendent of education, who 
shall be ex-officio a member thereof. The commission- 
ers shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be se- 
lected for their fitness, ability and experience in mat- 
ters of education, and their acquaintance with the con- 
ditions of illiteracy in the State of Alabama and its va- 
rious communities. 

2. That the members of the commission shall be and 
are hereby constituted a body corporate with all the 
powers necessary to carry into effect all the purposes 
of this act. The commissioners after their appointment 
and qualification, shall organize by electing from their 
membership a president and a secretary-treasurer. The 
secretary-treasurer shall execute a bond to the State of 
Alabama in a reputable bonding company and in such 
an amount as the commission may approve, for the faith- 
ful performance of the duties of his office and for the 
proper handling and accounting of all properties and 
monies which may come into his hands by virtue of his 
office; provided, that the secretary-treasurer may be re- 
moved by the commission and a successor appointed by 
the commission in its discretion. 



6 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

3. That it shall be the duty of the commission and it 
shall have the power to make research, collect data, and 
procure the services of any and all communities of the 
State looking to the obtaining of a more detailed and 
definite know^ledge as to the true conditions of the State 
in regard to its adult illiteracy, and report regularly 
the results of its labors to the Governor, and to per- 
form any other act Avhich in its discretion will contrib- 
ute to the elimination of the State's adult illiteracy by 
means of the education and enlightenment of illiterate 
persons in the State of Alabama ; and the commission 
shall expend any funds or use anything of value 
which it may receive in acordance with such regula- 
tions as it may from time to time adopt ; provided, how- 
ever, that any or all funds which may come into the 
hands of the commission shall be expended in keeping 
with the general purposes of this act. 

4. That the commission shall adopt such rules and 
regulations as may seem expedient for carrying on its 
business in a manner which shall seem to it most satis- 
factory. 

5. That the members of this commission shall re- 
ceive no compensation for their services nor expenses 
of any kind out of the State treasury, but they shall be 
reimbursed out of any funds which may come into the 
hands of the commission from other sources for the use 
of the commission for their actual traveling and other 
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their 
duties. 

Approved February 9, 1915. 

Under the authority of this bill the Governor appointed the fol- 
lowing members of the Alabama Illiteracy Commission: Ex-Gov- 
ernor Wm. D. Jelks, Birmingham, Ala.; Hon. Jas. B. Ellis, Selma; 
Miss Mary N. Moore, Athens; Mrs. W. K. Linscott, Mobile. The 
Coriimission organized with Hon. W. D. Jelks as president and 
Hon. Wm. F. Feagin, State Superintendent of Education, as secre- 
tary-treasurer. Mrs. E. D. Thames was employed as field agent 
and a campaign was inaugurated in an effort to bring light to the 
362,779 persons in Alabama ten years of age and over who can 
neither read nor write. 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 7 

The Commission appointed sub-commissions in the several coun- 
ties of the State composed usually of the following: county super- 
intendent of education, principal of the county high school, one bus- 
iness man and two prominent women. These sub-commissions are 
undertaking in their own way to eliminate the illiteracy within the 
bounds of their counties. There are a number of counties in which 
significant work has been done, and especial credit is due those who 
have carried on the work in the counties of Dale and Shelby. The 
results in these counties and in such others as have undertaken the 
task in serious fashion show conclusively that illiterate gro\vn-ups 
are ready and willing to learn, can be taught, and will go to school 
if the opportunity is presented. 

The work is being financed by the contributions of public spirited 
men and women throughout the State, and while this necessarily 
prevents projecting the work on any mammoth scale, it at least in- 
sures a healthy interest that will be salutary and far-reaching in its 
final results. It is needless to remark that the brunt of the actual 
work will fall upon the shoulders of our faithful teachers who have 
such a degree of patriotism as will make them willing to do this 
lofty type of missionary work out of their devotion to their more 
unfortunate brothers and sisters. 



No. 14.) (H. 63. 

AN ACT 

To authorize women to serve on boards of education of counties, 
and cities and towns. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

1. That on and after the passage of this bill, women 
shall be eligible to serve on the boards of education of 
incorporated cities and towns, and on county boards of 
education. 

2. All laws and parts of laws, local, general or spe- 
cial in conflict with the provisions of this act be and the 
same are hereby repealed. 

Appproved February 1, 1915. 

The purpose of this bill is to bring to the administration of the 
schools the enthusiasm and help of our women. The fact that a 
majority of our teachers are women, that they are the mothers of 
our children, and that the school improvement work is almost 



8 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

wholly directed by them, indicates that we ought to give oflPicial 
recognition to these constant friends. Any county and any incor- 
porated city or town, or any school district may make use of the 
services of its women on the school board. 



No. 64.) (H. 344. 

AN ACT 

To authorize the State Board of Examiners to issue first grade cer- 
tificates to graduates of certain institutions of higher learning 
of this and other states; to provide for the issuance of teachers' 
certificates to persons holding certificates granted in other 
states; to authorize the extension of the terms of first grade 
certificates, of second grade certificates, and of third grade cer- 
tificates; and to repeal section 1723 of the Code of Alabama as 
amended by section 4 of an act approved August 21, 1909. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

1. That the State board of examiners is hereby au- 
thorized to grant first grade teacliers' certificates with- 
out further examination to graduates of the class A 
normal schools of Alabama and to the graduates of 
such other institutions of higher learning in this and 
other states as may maintain departments for teacher- 
training meeting such requirements as may be desig- 
nated by the State board of examiners; provided, that 
certificates shall be issued only to such graduates of the 
different institutions as have successfully passed a min- 
imum of courses in education designated and approved 
by the State board of examiners. 

2. That the State board of examiners is hereby au- 
thorized to grant a certificate of qualification to teach 
in the public schools of the State to any person holding 
a certificate, license, or diploma authorizing said per- 
son to teach in the public schools of any other state; 
provided, that the certificate, license, or diploma shall 
have been originally issued for and in consideration of 
qualifications at least equal to those required for a cer- 
tificate of the same grade in this State; provided fur- 
ther, that the certificate, license or diploma shall be 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA. 1915 9 

valid ill this State for the period for which it shall have 
been issued in the State where it was originally grant- 
ed and may, in the discretion of the board of examiners, 
be made valid for a shorter period. For the purpose of 
carrying out the provisions of this section, it is hereby 
made the duty of any county superintendent of educa- 
tion under such rules and regulations as may be pre- 
scribed by the State board of examiners, to forward to 
the State board of examiners within five days after the 
receipt thereof, any certificate, license, or diploma which 
may have been issued in any other state and which may 
be placed in his hands Avith an application for a certifi- 
cate of qualification to teach in this State. Said county 
superintendent of education shall accompany the cer- 
tificate, license, or diploma so forwarded to the State 
board of examiners with any material facts of which 
he may have knowledge regarding the holder thereof. 
Upon receipt of the certificate, license, or diploma and 
application, the State board of examiners shall examine 
the same together with any facts relating thereto or to 
the holder thereof, which may have come to its notice, 
and shall within ten days thereafter either issue a cer- 
tificate to applicant or transmit to the county superin- 
tendent from whom the application shall have been re- 
ceived, notice that the application is denied. The State 
board of examiners may, under the authority conferred 
by this section, issue a first grade certificate, a second 
grade certificate, or a third grade certificate. 

3. That the State board of examiners is hereby au- 
thorized to extend consecutively from year to year for 
a period of one year at a time and for a total of not 
more than four consecutive years, any first grade cer- 
tificate, any second grade certificate, or any third grade 
certificate ; provided, that the holder of any such certifi- 
cate shall have attended some institution of higher learn- 
ing for at least six weeks and shall have pursued a course 
of professional study designated and approved by the 
State board of examiners during the year next preced- 
ing the one for w^hich extension of certificate for one 
year is sought to be granted. 



10 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

4. The applicant for a certificate or for the exten- 
sion of any certificate under the provisions of this act 
shall pay the same fees as are now charged applicants 
for certificates of the same grade. [ 

5. That section 1723 of the Code of Alabama of 1907, 
as amended by section 4 of an act approved August 21, 
1909, be and the same is hereby repealed. 

6. All laws or parts of laws in conflict with the pro- 
visions of this act be and the same are hereby repealed. 

Approved February 17, 1915. 

Under section 1 of the act, the board of examiners is authorized 
to issue first grade certificates without further examination: 

1. To graduates of the Class A normal schools of Alabama who 
shall complete the course of study prescribed by the normal school 
board in July, 1914. This course limits the work of these schools to 
the preparation of teachers for the elementary schools. It should 
be noted that the provisions of this law are not retroactive and can- 
not be made to apply to former graduates. 

2. To such graduates of other institutions of higher learning as 
have successfully pursued a minimum number of courses in educa- 
tion designated and approved by the board of examiners. The char- 
acter of the institutions to be recognized and the natur c-## tfuu work 
to be required are explicitly set forth in the rules and regulations 
issued April 15, 1915. 

Under the authority of section 2 of the act, the license or certifi- 
cate which is the authority of the holder to teach in the public 
schools of any other state may be accepted for its unexpired legal 
period as a certificate of the same grade in Alabama, or for a 
shorter period, at the discretion of the State Board of Examiners; 
except that life or permanent certificates f rom •Wther states may be 
validated in Alabama as first grade certificates, and that the hold- 
ers of such certificates may be admitted to .gi^inations for life 
certificates upon such terms as are prescribed for the holders of 
Alabama first grade certificates. 

By the authority of section 3, the Board of Examiners may ex- 
tend for a period of one year at a time, any first, second, or third 
grade certificate whose holder shall present a statement on a blank 
approved or furnished by the State Board of Examiners from the 
president or dean of the faculty of the institution of higher learning 
in which the applicant has been a student, to the effect that he has 
pursued for a minimum period of six weeks within the year next 
preceding that for which extension is sought, a course of profes- 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 11 

sional study either designated or approved by the State Board of 
Examiners. 

All applicants for certificates under the provisions of this section 
shall pay the usual fees* required for certificates as for those here- 
tofore issued, namely, $1.00, $1.50, and $2.00 for third, second, and 
first grade certificates, respectively. No temporary certificates can 
hereafter be issued under any condition whatsoever, the lav^^ au- 
thorizing issuance of the same being expressly repealed by section 
5 of this act. 

♦This fee must be remitted by postoflfice or express money order. 



No. 119.) (S. 182. 

AN ACT 

To prohibit the employment of public school teachers of less than 
seventeen years of age, and to provide for the education of 
pupils of any school having less than ten pupils. 

Be if cuitctcd hy the LegislaiuvG of Alahama: 

l.^^,3:JUat oil and after October 1, 1915, no person shall 
be employed as a teaeher in any pnblic school in the 
State who is not at least seventeen years of age, and 
after December 1, 1915, if the attendance in any school 
shall fall below ten, then the county board of educa- 
tion is autliorized to make the best arrangements it 
can for the education of those children. 

Approved February 20, 1915. 

This bill makes it unlawful for any board of education to enter 
into contract with"" Shy teacher in any public school, who is not 
at least seventeen years of age, but it does not forbid persons under 
this age from standing any teachers' examination. 

There is also a strong implication that no school where the aver- 
age attendance falls below ten pupils, should be continued by any 
county board of education. It may be that conditions are such that 
this provision in rare instances could not be enforced without hard- 
ships, but the reports that come to the Department from month to 
month from county superintendents of education clearly indicate 
that many schools falling below this attendance are maintained, and 
it is difficult to see how county boards of education, in the light of 



12 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

this act, will feel authorized to continue schools falling under the 
average attendance indicated, unless there be extraordinary condi- 
tions. 



No. 21.) (S. 130. 

AN ACT 

To submit to the qualified electors of the State at the general elec- 
tion' to be held in November, 1916, for their consideration an 
amendment to the Constitution for the purpose of authorizing 
the several counties of the State and the several districts of 
any county to levy and collect a special tax, not exceeding thirty 
cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in 
such counties and in the several districts of any county, under 
such regulations as the Legislature may have prescribed or 
may hereafter prescribe. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama : 

1. That the following amendment to the Constitu- 
tion of Alabama is proposed to be submitted to the qual 
ified electors of the State for their ratification or rejec- 
tion at the general election, to be held in November, 
1916, to-wit: Article XIX, Section 1. The several 
counties in the State shall have power to levy and col- 
lect a special county tax not exceeding thirty cents on 
each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in 
such counties in addition to that now authorized or that 
may hereafter be authorized, for public school purposes, 
and in addition to that now authorized under section 
260 of article XIV of the Constitution; provided, that 
the rate of such tax, the time it is to continue and the 
purpose thereof shall have been first submitted to the 
vote of the qualified electors of the county, and voted 
for by a majority of those voting at such election. 
Section 2. The several school districts of any county 
in the State shall have power to levy and collect a 
special district tax not exceeding thirty cents on each 
one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in such 
district for public school purposes ; provided, that a 
school district under the meaning of this section shall 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 13 

incliKlc incorporated cities or towns, or any school dis- 
trict of wiiich an incorporated city or town is a part, 
or snch other scliool districts now existing or hereafter 
formed, as may be approved by the county board of edu- 
cation : provided further, that the rate of such tax, the 
time it is to continue and the purpose thereof shall have 
been first submitted to the vote of the qualified eh'ctors 
of the district and voted for by a majority of those vot- 
ing at such election ; provided further, that no district 
tax shall be voted or collected except in such connties 
as are levying and collecting not less than a three-mill 
special county school tax. ' Section 3. The funds aris- 
ing from the* special county school tax levied and c(d- 
lected by any county shall be apportioned and expend- 
ed as the law may direct; and the funds arising from 
the special school tax levied in any district which votes 
the same independently of the connty shall be expended 
for the exclusive benefit of the district, as the law may 
direct. 

This bill provides for the submission of an amendment to the 
Constitution to the voters of the State at the general election to be 
held in November, 1916, the purpose of the amendment being to au- 
thorize any county by a majority vote of the electors therein to levy 
a tax for educational purposes, not to exceed three mills on the 
property of the county as a whole, and to further authorize any dis- 
trict in any county which is levying and collecting a three-mill 
county tax, to levy and collect a district tax for school purposes, not 
to exceed three mills. 

A careful reading of the bill will show: 

1. That the maximum county tax* for school purposes allowed 
under this amendment is three mills, though any less amount may 

be voted. 

2. That no district tax can be levied unless the county of which 
the district is a part is levying and collecting a county tax for 
school purposes amounting to three mills. 

3. That the maximum tax for school purposes that any district 
can levy is three mills. 

4. That a district under the meaning of this amendment is 

*The limit imposed under this amendment does not interfere with 
the amounts already authorized under the Constitution, namely, the 
one mill county tax for the State as a whole and such other millage 
as is permitted in the case of three or four counties in the State. 



14 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

a. An incorporated city. 

b. An incorporated town. 

c. Any school district now existing that may be approved by 
the county board of education. 

d. Any district hereafter formed that may be approved by the 
county board of education. 

5. That the funds derived from the county tax for school pur- 
poses shall be apportioned and expended as the law may direct. 

6. That the funds arising from the special school district tax 
shall be used exclusively for the benefit of the district levying and 
collecting such tax, as the law may direct. 

It will be seen from the wording of the bill that the county tax 
must be voted before the district is authorized to levy the tax. By 
this means the interests of the poorer districts are fully guarded 
and the corporate wealth of the county is compelled within reasona- 
ble bounds to contribute in giving equal educational opportunities 
to the children of the entire county. At the same time any school 
district that desires better educational opportunities than the State 
and county funds provide, may vote upon itself an additional tax to 
provide better schools, the revenue from such a source being avail- 
able for longer terms, better equipment and other school expenses, 
thereby making it possible for any district voting the tax to rid 
itself of the burdens and inequalities arising from the collection of 
tuition fees, supplements and incidentals which, as a rule, occasion 
serious embarrassment to the more needy people in the county, for 
whose children it is the duty of the State, the county and the com- 
munity to furnish reasonably adequate educational opportunity. 

The enactment of this amendment into law is fundamental to the 
proper financing of our schools and it behooves every man, woman 
and child to do his best to secure its adoption by an overwhelming 
majority. 

The five preceding laws were enacted during the twenty-day 
session of the 1915 Legislature and are found in the latest edition 
of the General Public School Laws. The laws which follow were 
enacted too late to be included and are found in this supplement. 



No. 403.) (H. 1428. 

AN ACT 

To provide for elections, to authorize any county in the State and 
any school district now existing or hereafter formed in any 
county, to levy and collect a special county tax for public school 
purposes, not exceeding thirty (30) cents on each one hundred 
dollars ($100) worth of taxable property in such county and in 
such school district. 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 15 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alahaiiia : 

1. That upon a petition signed by two hnndied or 
more qualified electors of any county, to the c(Hirt of 
county commissioners or other <>()yerning body, in any 
county within the State of Alabama, said court of coun- 
ty commissioners or other goyernino- body shall order 
an election to determine whetlun- or not a special tax 
shall be levied for public school purposes within said 
county, and upon request of the county board of educa- 
tion to the court of county commissioners or other goy- 
erning body, said court shall ordiM- an election to deter- 
mine whether or not a special tax shall be ley led for 
public school purposes within any school district in 
any county; provided that no election in any school dis- 
trict shall be held for the purpose of levying and collect- 
ing a special school tax for school purposes unless the 
county in which said district is located shall be levying 
and collecting a special county tax for school purposes 
of not less than thirty (30) cents on each one hundred 
dollai-s (flOO) worth of taxable property in such coun- 
ty. Publication shall be made of any election to be 
held under the provisions of this act in some newspaper 
of the county for three successive issues preceding the 
date of said election, and when an election is to be held 
for a special tax for school purposes in any district, 
written notices shall be posted in three public places 
within said district at least twenty days prior to said 
election. Said publications and notices shall shoAv the 
rate of such proposed tax, the time it is proposed to be 
continued, and the purpose for which the levy is pro- 
posed to be made. 

2. That the inspectors and officers of th-e special 
county election shall be appointed and such election 
shall be held, and the results of such election shall be 
declared in the same manner and by the same officers 
as the results of the regular election for county officers 
under the general elections laws of the State; provide<l 
that the election may be held at the time for holding 
any regular election in the county, and if held at such 
time the inspectors and officers of the general election 



16 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

shall conduct at the same time the election herein pro- 
vided for, and for such services they shall receive no 
compensation other than that allowed them for the 
holding of the general election; but if the election is 
held at some other time than that of holding the regular 
election within the county, then the election officers 
shall receive the same pay as that for holding a general 
election. 

3. ' That upon written request of the county board of 
education for a special election in any school district, 
the court of county commissioners or other governing 
body, shall appoint three managers and one returning 
officer for each voting place in the school district, to con- 
duct and make return of such election in the school dis- 
trict, and in the event such election officers fail to ap- 
pear at the polling place to which they are appointed, 
the officer or officers who do appear shall appoint some 
one to take their places; provided that all election of- 
ficers shall be qualified electors of the district in which 
they serve; and it shall be the duty of the sheriff to 
notify all officers of their appointment by the court of 
county commissioners or other governing body. The 
managers of such election shall open the polls at eight 
o'clock a. m. and close the same at five o'clock p. m. on 
the day of the election, and immediately after closing 
the polls, shall ascertain the results of the election at 
their respective voting places and make returns of the 
same to the court of county commissioners or other gov- 
erning body, of the county, and deliver the ballot-boxes 
containing the returns with the polling-lists, tally- 
sheets, and other necessary papers, to the returning of- 
ficers of such voting places, who shall deliver the same 
to the court of county commissioners or other govern- 
ing body, on or before noon of the second day after said 
election. The court of county commissioners or other 
governing body, shall within four days after said elec- 
tion, canvass the returns so made and under oath make 
a written report declaring the result of said election in 
said school district, showing the number of votes cast 
both for and against the proposed taxation. A copy 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 17 

of such report shall be printed in some newspaper pub- 
lished in the county, and the original shall be filed in 
the office of the probate judge. Except as otherwise 
provided herein, said election shall be held under the 
general election laws of the State. The ofiicers, includ- 
ing the sheriff, shall perform the same duties and re- 
ceive the same pay as provided for under the general 
election laws aforesaid ; and all costs and fees of said 
election shall be paid out of the county treasury. 

4. That when any election is to be held in any coun- 
ty or in any school district, under the provisions of this 
act, the court of county commissioners or other govern- 
ing body, shall provide the necessary number of bal- 
lots, polling-lists, tally-sheets, ballot-boxes, booths, in- 
structions for holding the election, and all other neces- 
sary and proper stationery for holding said election ; 
and the sheriff shall see that the same are delivered to 
the managers before the day of the election. The bal- 
lots used in said election shall have printed at the top 
of such ballot the rate of such proposed tax, the time it 
is proposed to be continued, and that it is to be used for 
public school purposes, and directly underneath in plain 
type shall be printed on different lines the words, "For 
Proposed Taxation," "Against Proposed Taxation," 
and a blank must be left directly to the left of each line 
thereof, and the voters favoring the proposed taxation 
will make a cross-mark directly to the left of the line 
"For Proposed Taxation," and the voters not in favor 
of the proposed taxation will make a cross-mark direct- 
ly to the left of the line "Against Proposed Taxation," 
and if it appears as the result of such election that a 
majority of those voting in said election have voted for 
such taxation, the court of county commissioners or 
other governing body, shall levy said special tax and 
cause the tax assessor to assess the same on the taxable 
property in said county, or in said school district, as 
the case may be, which shall not exceed thirty cents on 
each one hundred (|100) dollars worth of taxable prop- 
erty in said county or in said school district, as the 
case may be ; provided that any special tax levied under 



18 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

the provisions of this act shall not be for a shorter term 
than two years. 

5. That whenever such a levy as is provided for in 
this act is made, it shall be the duty of the tax collec- 
tor within and for that county to collect such a tax iu 
the same manner and under the same requirements and 
laws as the taxes of the State are collected, and he shall 
keep said amount separate and apart from all other 
funds and keep a clear and distinct account thereof 
showing wdiat amount is paid and turn the same over to 
the county treasurer of public school funds, whose duty 
it shall be to receipt therefor and pay out the same on 
monthly pay-rolls with the authority and approval of 
the county board of education, upon uniform blanks 
prescribed by the State superintendent of education;: 
provided that the funds arising from levying the special 
tax for school purposes in any school district, shall be 
used for the exclusive benefit of the public schools of 
such district ; and in the case of incorporated cities and 
towns shall be paid over to the treasurer of said in- 
corporated city or town, to be used for the exclusive 
benefit thereof. 

6. That all persons who are at the time of such elec- 
tion qualified electors in the county where such election 
is held, or in such school district where such election is. 
held, under the laws and Constitution of Alabama then 
in existence, shall be qualified electors to participate 
therein. 

7. That this act shall take effect when an amend- 
ment to the Constitution of Alabama shall be adopted 
as provided for in an act "to submit to the qualified 
electors of the State at a general election to be held on 
the first Monday after the expiration of three months, 
from and after the final adjournment of the present ses- 
sion of the Legislature, for their consideration, an 
amendment to the Constitution for the purpose of au- 
thorizing the several counties of the State and the sev- 
eral districts of any county to levy aud collect a special 
tax not exceeding thirty (30) cents ou each one hun- 
dred dollars (|100) worth of taxable property in such. 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 19 

county and in the several districts of any county, under 
such regulations as the Legislature may have prescribed 
or mav hereafter prescribe,-' and approved March 17, 
1915. ' 

Approved September 10, 1915. 

This measure merely provides the machinery by which the local 
tax amendment, if enacted, may become operative immediately, 
without having to wait until another session of the Legislature. It 
corresponds with the proposed constitutional amendment, and the 
explanatory statement following that act should be read in this con- 
nection. 



No. 672.) (H. 1397. 

AN ACT 

To make an annual appropriation for any county that may be levy- 
ing and collecting a special county school tax during any schol- 
astic year, and to provide for the expenditure of the fund set 
apart for any county by the county board of education. 

Be it enacted hy the Legislature of Alabama: 

1. That for the school year beginning October 1, 
1915, and for each and every year thereafter there is 
thereby appropriated out of any funds in the State treas- 
ury not otherwise expended, the sum of one thousand 
(|1,000) dollars to each and every county in the State 
that may be levying and collecting for such school year 
a one-mill special county school tax. 

2. That for the school year beginning October 1, 
1917, and for each and every year thereafter, there is 
hereby appropriated out of any funds in the State treas- 
ury not otherwise expended the sum of two thousand 
(|2,000) dollars to each and every county in the State 
that may be levying and collecting for such school year 
a two-mill special county school tax. Provided t\^£it any 
county receiving the benefit of section two of this act 
shall not be entitled to share under section one of this 
act. 

3. That for the school year beginning October 1, 
1917, and for each and every year thereafter, there is 



20 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

hereby appropriated out of any funds in the State treas- 
ury not otherwise expended, the sum of three thousand 
(|3,000) dollars to each and every county in the State 
that may be levying and collecting for such school year 
a three-mill special county school tax. Provided that 
any county receiving the benefit of section three of this 
act shall not be entitled to share under sections one and 
two of this act. 

4. That at the beginning of the school year October 
1, 1915, and each and every school year thereafter, the 
State superintendent of education shall certify to the 
State auditor the name and amount to be placed to the 
credit of each and every county under the provisions^ 
of this act, and the auditor shall upon request of the 
State superintendent of education, draw his warrant 
upon the State treasurer in favor of the county treas- 
urer of school funds of the county for the amount so 
certified by the State superintendent of education in 
accordance with this act. 

5. That the funds so set apart for any county shall 
be expended by the county board of education of any 
county entitled to receive the benefits of this act, as in 
the opinion of said county board will best promote the 
cause of education in said county. 

6. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with 
the provisions of this act be and the same are hereb^r 
repealed. 

Approved September 23, 1915. 

This law is merely to popularize local taxation. The argument 
for local taxation is based upon its reflex upon local initiative and! 
community interest. For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1915, 
and each year thereafter, each county in the State levying and col- 
lecting a one-mill county tax for school purposes is to receive from, 
the State treasury a bonus of $1,000. From and after the fiscal 
year beginning October 1, 1917, any county levying and collecting a. 
two-mill county school tax may receive a bonus of $1,000 for each 
mill levied; and any county levying and collecting a three-mill coun- 
ty school tax may receive a bonus of $1,00© for each mill levied. In 
addition to encouraging the several counties of the State to vote- 
local taxation, this law also provides a new basis for the distribu- 
tion of a certain amount of aid to those counties that are already 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 21 

helping themselves. This would operate in practice to give a larger 
amount to the poorer counties of the State than they now^ receive, 
and thereby tend in a small w^ay to further equalize educational op- 
portunity in Alabama. With this incentive, there seems to be no 
good reason why every county in the State should not at the earli- 
est opportunity levy and collect the full amount of revenue by local 
taxation that the Constitution of Alabama makes possible. 



No. 495.) (S. 598. 

AN ACT 

To amend section 1355 of the Code of Alabama of 1907. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

That section 1355 of the Code of Alabama of 1907 be 
and the same is hereby amended so as to read as fol- 
lows : 1355 — Cities having a population of 2,000 and 
less than 6,000 inhabitants shall have a board of educa- 
tion consisting of five members which shall be elected 
by the council, or other governing body, at its first reg- 
ular meeting. The council, or other governing body, 
shall elect the members of the board of education for 
terms of office which shall be respectively, one, two, 
three, four, and five years. Annually thereafter at the 
first regular meeting in April or as soon thereafter as 
may be practicable, at a rc^gular meeting, the council, 
or other governing body, shall elect a member whose 
term of office shall be five years, to succeed the member 
of the board of education whose term expires that year. 
As soon after election as practicable, the said board 
shall organize by electing one of their members presi- 
dent and shall also elect one of their members secretary 
of said board, and said board 'shall have all poAvers and 
be vested with all the authority in relation to the pub- 
lic schools as boards of education in cities of 6,000 or 
more population. In the event of a vacancy in the mem- 
bership of the board by resignation or otherwise, the 
fact shall be reported to the city council, or other gov- 
(^rning body, by the board, and the council, or other gov- 
erning body, shall elect a person to fill such vacancy for 



22 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

the imexpired term ; in towns of less than 2,000 popula- 
tion, the management and control of the public schools 
therein shall on and after the first day of October, 1915, 
be vested in a county board of education, which board 
shall be vested with all the powers and authority in re- 
lation to such school, as if the same were not within the 
incorporated territory. 

Approved September 16, 1915. 

The purpose of this amendment is two-fold: First, to put all 
towns with less than 2,000 inhabitants directly under the control of 
the county board of education. This means that there would be no 
city boards of education in towns of this size, except the trustee or 
trustees, not exceeding three in number, to be appointed by the 
county board of education so that the public schools in such towns 
would be controlled just as they are in rural districts. 

Second, in. towns of 2,000 and less than 6,000 inhabitants the 
boards of education are to be elected by the council but in such a 
way as to provide for continuity in office, with a further proviso 
that in the event of a vacancy on such a board, the same is to be 
filled by the city council. 



:No. 220.) (S. 129. 

AN ACT 

To provide for a county board of education, to prescribe the method 
of election of the members thereof, to define the powers and du- 
ties of the board, and to require the boards of education in in- 
corporated cities and towns to make an enumeration of children 
of school age. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

Section 1. That from and after the third Saturday 
in November, 1916, the public schools of each of the sev- 
eral counties of the State, except those in incorporated 
cities and towns, shall be under the immediate direc- 
tion and control of a county board of education consist- 
ing of five members. The county board of education of 
each county shall be elected by the qualified electors of 
the county. All members of the county board of educa- 
tion of any county shall be persons of good moral char- 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 28 

acter with at least a fair oleuieutai-y education, of ^ood 
standing- in tlieir respective conmuinities, and known 
for tlieii- honesty, business ability, public spirit and in- 
terest in the good of public education. 

Sec. 2. That at the general election of State and 
county officers in November, 1916, the qualified electors 
of the county shall elect five inenibers of the county 
board of education; and provided that the five persons 
receiving the highest number of votes from the county 
at large shall be declared the members of the county 
board of education ; provided, that the two members of 
the board so elected receiving the highest nunil)er of 
votes shall hold office for a term of six years ; that the 
two members receiving the next highest number of votes 
shall hold office for a term of four years ; and that the 
member so elected receiving the lowest number of votes 
shall hold office for a term of two years ; provided fur- 
ther, that at the general election of State and county of- 
ficers in November, 1918, and biennially thereafter, a 
member or members shall be elected for terms of six 
j'^ears to succeed those whose term or terms of office 
shall expire at that time; provided that any member of 
the board of education shall hold office until a succes- 
sor has been elected and qualified. 

Sec. 4. That the county board of education of each 
of the several counties, elected as herein provided, shall 
meet in the office of the county superintendent of educa- 
tion of the ccmnty within ten days after the election of 
such board or any mend)er thereof, qualify and organize 
by electing one of its members president. The president 
shall be entitled to vote on all questi<ms. The county 
superintendent of education shall be the secretary and 
executive officer of the board and shall attend all meet- 
ings of the same, but he shall not have the right of a 
vote in the board. 

Sec. 5. That the county boards of education shall 
have entire control of the public schools, unless other- 
wise provided by law, within their respective counties. 
The}' shall make rules and regulations for the govern- 
ment of the schools, see that the teachers perform their 



24 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

duties, and exercise such powers consistent with the 
law as in their judgment will best subserve the cause of 
education. The board shall have the right to acquire, 
purchase, by the institution of condemnation proceed- 
ings if necessary, lease, receive, hold, transmit, and con- 
vey the title to real and personal property for school 
purposes, except where otherwise provided, by and in 
the name of the county board of education, to sue and 
contract, all contracts to be made after resolutions 
adopted by the board and spread on its minutes and 
signed by its president. All process shall be executed 
by service on the executive offtcer of the board. 

Sec. 6. In addition to the duties hereinbefore pre- 
scribed, the county boards of education shall perform 
the following duties : (1) Select a county superintend- 
ent of education, prescribe his duties in addition to 
those required by law, and the amount of his salary; 
provided, that no member of a county board of educa- 
tion shall be eligible for election as county super- 
intendent of education during the term for which 
he was elected as a member of the board of educa- 
tion. (2) Elect a county treasurer of public school 
funds. (3) Elect to hold office until the next 
regular election as provided under this act, the 
successor to any member of the county board of 
education whose place may have become vacant by 
death, resignation, or other cause; provided, that in 
case the county board fails for a period of thirty days to 
fill said vacancy, the State superintendent of education 
shall have authority to appoint a member to fill the 
same. At the next general election held in November, a 
successor shall be elected for the unexpired term as pro- 
vided by section 2 of this act for the election of other 
members. (4) Select upon the nomination of the coun- 
ty superintendent of education, assistant superintend- 
ents, supervisors and such office force as may be neces- 
sary, and fix their salaries. (5) Select teachers for the 
several schools of the county upon nomination of the 
county superintendent of education, fix their salaries, 
erect, repair, and furnish school houses, fix all wages of 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 25 

employees, determine all incidental expenses, and have 
entire control of the public school funds of the county, 
except as otherwise provided by law. (6) Fix the boun- 
daries of school districts and locate schools with refer- 
ence to convenience, efficiency, and economy. (7) Con- 
solidate schools and provide for the transportation of 
pupils at public expense. (8) Upon the agreement of 
the boards of education of adjoining counties, authorize 
a child residing in one county to attend school in an- 
other county, and it shall be permitted to do so when 
the school in the other county is nearer than any school 
in its own county ; upon the request of parents or guar- 
dians, a city board of education and a county board of 
education- may make any just and equitable arrange- 
ment for the attendance of the children of the city at 
the schools of the county, and for the attendance of the 
children of the county at the schools of the city, and 
they shall do so when it can be done without injury to 
the schools of either the county or the city. (9) Control 
the public school funds as provided by law. (10) Ap- 
point for every school in the county discreet, competent 
and reliable person or persons of mature years, not ex- 
ceeding three in number, residing near to the school- 
house, and having the respect and confidence of the peo- 
ple of the community, to serve as trustee or trustees of 
the school, to care for the property and to look after the 
general interests of the school, and to make to the coun- 
ty board of education, through the county superintend- 
ent of education, from time to time, reports of the pro- 
gress and needs of the schools, and of the will and senti- 
ment of the people in regard to the school ; but such 
person or persons shall not be paid for such service out 
of the public school funds. (11) Enforce compulsory 
attendance as required by law. (12) Act as promptly 
as possible on cases of appeal by pupils suspended by 
teachers. (13) Dismiss county superintendents, assist- 
ant county superintendents, and teachers for incompe- 
tency, improper or immoral conduct, or inattention to 
duty, or whenever in their opinion the best interests of 
the school may require. (14) Select resident persons 



26 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

to enumerate the scholastic population of all children 
between the ages of seven and twenty-one years as pro- 
vided by law, and to require that in enumerating the 
scholastic population, the name of the child, the name 
of the parent or guardian, the age of the child, the 
school to which it belongs, and the distance to the near- 
est school, be recorded, and also the fact as to whether 
the child is able to read and write. White children and 
negro children shall be reported in separate lists, and 
in any town or city maintaining a public school system, 
the board of education of that incorporated city or 
town, is hereby empowered and required to enumerate 
the scholastic population of that city or town, as pro- 
vided by law; and in addition to giving the name of the 
child, and the name of its parents or guardians, and 
stating whether the child can read and write, the name 
of the street and number of the house in which it resides 
shall be given. 

Sec. 7. The members of the county board of educa- 
tion shall receive from the public school funds of the 
county their actual traveling and hotel expenses incur- 
red in attending meetings of the board ; provided that 
such expenditures shall be allowed for not more than 
twelve meetings in any one year. The members of the 
county board shall be paid in like manner as provided 
for the compensation paid to teachers; provided, that 
they shall not be required to hold State teachers' cer- 
tificates. County superintendents shall be paid a mini- 
mum salary of |1,000 a year and after September 30, 
1915, shall engage in no other form of remunerative 
work. 

Sec. 8. All laws or parts of laws in conflict with the 
provisions of this act, except such as make provision for 
local taxation for school purposes, are hereby repealed, 
and in case any part of this law is declared unconstitu- 
tional, the parts not so declared unconstitutional shall 
remain in full force and effect as the law of the State. 

Approved August 16, 1915. 

This bill provides for a radical change in the method of adminis- 
tering the public school system of the county, in that the 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 27 

board of education is to be elected by the voters of the county and 
that this board is to select the county superintendent of education. 
Under the former law the county superintendent was elected by the 
people. The members of the county board were selected by the 
chairmen of the district trustees, the county superintendent him- 
self being a member, and often, by his own admission, dominating 
the county board. The chief purposes of this law are to provide for 
better supervision of schools and a better type of schools as well, — 
that is, the consolidated school of three or more teachers, to which 
pupils are to be transported at public expense. This will make pos- 
sible the introduction of agriculture, manual training, domestic 
science, and art, and other social activities which so rarely find a 
place in our rural schools today, in fact, cannot be taught where 
only one teacher is required to give instruction in all the grades. 
There will still be a district trustee or trustees for each school, but 
their chief duty will be to look after the school property and to ad- 
vise the county board of education from time to time of the will 
and sentiment of the people toward the same. 

Under this law the county superintendent will give his entire time 
to the work of supervision, and it goes without saying that a county 
board of education whose members possess the ability and the gen- 
eral qualifications required under the law, will exercise the utmost 
precaution in selecting a superintendent and teachers who will do 
the work expected of them efficiently. The board will be in a posi- 
tion to require this, inasmuch as the services of any employee may 
be dispensed with when in the opinion of the board the best inter- 
ests of the school require it. 

The chief benefits to be derived from the operation of the law are 
as follows: 

1. Effective administration of the schools of the community by a 
capable board of five members elected at large from the county, 
having large powers and responsible to all the people of the county. 

2. Supervision of the schools of the county by a professionally 
trained county superintendent chosen by and responsible to the 
county board of education. 

3. Consolidation of small rural schools into graded central 
schools, with the attendant advantages of classified work, better 
schoolhouses and equipment, better teachers and social center ac- 
tivities. 

4. Transportation of pupils, where necessary, making it possible 
for children in remote places to attend school without physical dis- 
comfort and danger. 

A more detailed explanation of this measure is contained in a 
pamphlet issued by the Department of Education and will be mailed 
to any address upon the receipt of a two-cent postage stamp. 



28 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

No. 304.) (H. 306. 

AN ACT 

To prohibit county boards of education, county superintendents of 
education, school trustees, or teachers, from excluding any pu- 
pil from a school whose teacher is qualified to teach the pupil 
who is qualified to attend a high school within three miles of 
the pupil. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama, That it 
shall be unlawful for any county school board, any 
county superintendent of education, or any school trus- 
tees, or teacher, to exclude any pupil who is qualified 
to take any course of study which the teacher is quali- 
fied to teach, when the pupil lives more than three miles 
from a high school. The provisions of this act shall not 
apply to schools in incorporated cities and towns, which 
maintain public high schools, and the course of study as 
contemplated in this act shall not extend beyond the 
four year high school course, provided that any pupil 
admitted to any school under the provisions of this act 
shall pay a reasonable incidental fee before enrollment 
as may be required of other pupils in school in accord- 
ance with the law. 

Approved August 26, 1915. 



No. 339.) (S. 564. 

AN ACT 

To amend section 1842 of the Code of Alabama. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama, That sec- 
tion 1842 of the Code of Alabama shall be amended so 
as to read as follows, viz. : 1842. Said commission shall 
maintain its organization for five years, and at the end 
of said period of five years, the Governor shall name a 
similar commission with like powers and a like term as 
the first named commission, provided that all bids and 
contracts for school books shall provide for the pur- 
chase, by municipalities and school districts which sup- 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 2^ 

ply free school books, of such books at the legulai- con- 
tract price less the commission allowed to agents or de- 
positories. 

Approved August 27, 1915. 

The purpose of this measure is to make it possible for cities,, 
towns and school districts to secure books directly from the pub- 
lishers at the regular contract prices, less dealer's commission, in 
the event that the city, town or district desires to furnish free text- 
books to the pupils attending its schools. 



No. 221.) (S. 170. 

AN ACT 

To require private, denominational, and parochial schools to make 
school reports. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

1. That all private, denominational and parochial 
schools, or private, denominational and parochial insti- 
tutions of any kind having a school in connection there- 
with, shall be required to report on uniform blanks fur- 
nished by the State superintendent of education, and at 
the time for making such reports, such statistics as re- 
late to the number of pupils and instructors, enrollment, 
attendance, course of study, length of term, cost of tui- 
tion, funds, value of property, and the general condi- 
tion of the school. 

2. All private, denominational or parochial schools 
offering instruction within the compulsory attendance 
ages shall keep all records and make all reports that 
may be required in any compulsory attendance law now 
in force or that may hereafter be enacted in the State 
of Alabama, and no pupil attending any private, denom- 
inational, or parochial school which fails to comply 
with the requirements of this act shall be considered to 
have met the legal requirements of such compulsory at- 
tendance law. 

Approved August 16, 1915. 



30 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

The aim of this law is merely to secure additional data of nation- 
wide importance, and thereby guarantee that Alabama will receive 
due recognition for what she is actually doing for the education of 
her youth. These reports have hitherto been sent in by most of our 
private, denominational and parochial schools, and they will not be 
affected in the least by this statute. It will only make it necessary 
for the relatively few schools that have heretofore ignored the re- 
quests of the Department of Education for information for which 
the State should justly receive credit, to comply with the law. 



No. 470.) (H. 319. 

AN ACT 

To compel the attendance at school of children within certain ages 
in the State of Alabama; to fix exceptions to such provisions; 
to provide means for the enforcement of this act; to require 
reports from private or parochial schools; to make it unlawful 
for any parent, guardian, or other person occupying the place 
of parent, to violate the provisions hereof; to make it unlawful 
for any person, firm, corporation, or association to employ any 
child in violation of the provisions of this act; and to fix punish- 
ments and penalties for the violations of this act. 

Be it enacted hy the Legislature of Alahama: 

1. That on and after the first day of October, 1917, 
every parent, guardian, or other person in the State of 
Alabama having control or charge of any child or chil- 
dren between the ages of eight and fifteen years inclu- 
sive, shall be required to send such child or children to 
a public school or to a private, denominational, or pa- 
rochial school taught by a competent instructor, and such 
child or children shall attend school for at least eighty 
days during each and every scholastic year; provided, 
that the county board of education, or in the case of an 
incorporated city or town, the city or town board of edu- 
cation, shall have power to reduce the period of com- 
pulsory attendance to not less than sixty days for any 
individual school; provided further, that the period of 
compulsory attendance for each school shall commence 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 31 

at the beginning of the school, unless otherwise ordered 
by the county board of education or by the board of ed- 
ucation of an incorporated city or town, as the case may 
be. 

2. That any or all children who have completed the 
elementary course of study of seven grades or the equiv- 
alent thereof, sliall be exempt from the provisions of 
this act, and in case there be no public school within 
two and one-half miles by the nearest traveled road of 
any person between the ages of eight and fifteen years 
inclusive, he or she shall not be subject to the ])rovisions 
of this act unless public transportation within reason- 
able walking distance is provided ; provided further, thn t 
the teacher of any school, with the approval of the at- 
tendance officer, shall have the authority in the exercise 
of a sound discretion to permit the temporary al)sence 
of children from the school, between the ages of eight 
and fifteen years inclusive, in extreme cases of emer- 
gency or domestic necessity. 

3. That any or all children avIio are physically or 
mentally incapacitated for the work of the school are 
exempt from the provisions of this act, but the school 
authorities shall have the right and they are hereby au- 
tliorized when such exemption under tlie provisions of 
this act is claimed by any parent, guardian, or other 
person having ccmtrol of such child or children, to re- 
quire from a practicing physician a i)roperly attested 
certificate that such child or children should not be re- 
(juired to attend school for some physical or mental con- 
dition which renders his attendance imju-actical or in- 
expedient. 

4. That in any rases where because of extreme pov- 
erty, the services of such child are necessary for his own 
support or the suppoi-t of his parents, as attested by an 
affidavit of said i)arents and such witnesses as the at- 
tendance officer hereinafter provided for may require, 
or in any case where such parent, guardian, or other 
person having contrctl of the child, shall show before any 
justice of the ])eace by affidavit of himself and of sucli 



32 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

witnesses as the attendance officer hereinafter provided 
for may require, that the child is without necessary 
books and clothing for attending school and that he is 
unable to provide the necessary books and clothes, then 
said child may be excused from the provision of this act 
until, through charity or other means, books and cloth- 
ing shall have been provided, and thereafter the child 
shall no longer be exempt from such attendance. 

5. That the county boards of education shall divide 
their respective counties exclusive of all cities and 
towns, into not less than one or more than five attend- 
ance districts, and said board shall appoint an attend- 
ance officer for every district created, who shall hold his 
office at the will of the county board of education, and 
the boards of education of all cities and towns shall ap- 
point one or more attendance officers for their respective 
cities and towns to serve at the pleasure of the appoint- 
ing board. 

6. That at the beginning of the annual period of com- 
pulsory attendance, the State superintendent of educa- 
tion or the county superintendent of education, as the 
case may be, shall supply to each principal teacher in 
each school a list of all children between the ages of 
eight and fifteen years inclusive, who shall attend such 
school. At the end of the fifth day of the compulsory 
attendance period of any school, the principal teacher 
shall report to the attendance officer of the attendance 
district, the names and addresses of all persons between 
the ages of eight and fifteen years, inclusive, who have 
not enrolled in said school, and throughout the compul- 
sory attendance period, the principal teacher of each 
school shall report to the attendance officer of the at- 
tendance district the names and addresses of all pupils 
between the ages of eight and fifteen years, inclusive, 
who are absent for five consecutive days and whose ab- 
sence is not satisfactorily explained by the parent, guar- 
dian, or other person having control of the child. 

7. That it shall be the duty of the attendance officer 
to investigate all cases of non-enrollment and non-at- 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 33 

tendance reported to him in accordance with section 6. 
In all cases investigated where no valid reason for non- 
enrollment or non-attendance is found, it shall be the 
duty of the attendance officer to give written notice to 
the parent, guardian, or other person having control of 
the child, and in the event of the absence of the parent, 
guardian, or other person having control of the child, 
from his or her usual place of residence, the attendance 
officer shall leave a copy of the notice with some person 
over twelve years of age residing at the usual place of 
residence, with instructions to hand such notice to such 
parent, guardian, or other person having control of such 
child, which notice shall require the attendance of said 
child at such school Avithin three days from date of said 
notice. 

8. That if within three days from date of service of 
the notice, the parent, guardian, or other person having 
control of the child, does not comply with the provisions 
of this act, then the attendance officer shall make com- 
plaint in the name of the State of Alabama against such 
parent, guardian or other person having control of such 
child, in a court of record of such county, which court is 
hereby clothed with jurisdiction over all offenders and 
the proceedings under this act, with full power to hear 
and try all complaints, impose fines, enforce their collec- 
tion, by imprisonment if necessary, and fully execute the 
provisions of this act. 

9. That it shall be unlawful for any merchant, cor- 
poration, company, or other person, without the written 
permit of the county board of education or the board of 
education of any incorporated city or town, as the case 
may be, to employ during school hours any child be- 
tween the ages of eight and fifteen years, inclusive, un- 
less such child is exempt under the provisions of sec- 
tions 2, 3, or 4 of this act; provided, that any parent, 
guardian, or other person having control of such child 
delinquent in school attendance, or any merchant, cor- 
poration, company, or other person violating the provi- 
sions of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and 



34 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

^hall be fined in a sum not less tlian five dollars nor 
more than fifty dollars, and may be committed to the 
county jail for a term not to exceed thirty days; pro- 
vided, that all fines collected shall be paid into the coun- 
ty treasury; provided further, that it is hereby made 
the duty of all city attorneys in their respective cities, 
and all county and circuit solicitors for the districts of 
their respective counties and for such incorporated 
cities and towns as do not employ a city attorney, to 
prosecute all complaints filed and actions brought un- 
der this act. 

10. All school officers, including those in private, 
denominational, or parochial schools in this State, offer- 
ing instruction to pupils within the compulsory attend- 
ance ages, are hereby required to make and furnish all 
reports that may be required by the State superintend- 
ent of education and by the county superintendent of 
education or by the board of education of any incorpor- 
ated city or town, with reference to the workings of 
this act. Every teacher employed in the public schools 
of the State of Alabama is hereby required, before re- 
ceiving each month's salary, to make a report to the 
county superintendent of education, or to the super- 
intendent or principal of an incorporated city or town 
in which he may be employed, showing the names and 
addresses of all pupils who have been truant or habit- 
ually absent from school during the previous month, 
and stating the reasons for such truancy or habitual ab- 
sence, if known; provided, that all such cases of said 
truancy shall be brought to the notice of the attendance 
officer by the county superintendent or by the super- 
intendent or principal of the school in any incorporat- 
ed city or town, as the case may be, and the same shall 
be investigated by said officer. 

11. That in case that any pupil has become habitual- 
ly truant or a menace to the best interests of the school 
which he is attending or should attend, then it shall be 
the duty of the attendance officer to report such fact 
and condition to the parent, guardian, or other person 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 35 

having control of such chikl, who shall be held liable 
under the provisions of this act for the regular attend- 
ance and good conduct of such child, unless such parent, 
guardian, or other person having control of such child 
shall state in writing to the attendance officer that he 
or she is unable to control such child, whereupon said 
attendance officer shall proceed against such incorrigi- 
ble pupils as a disorderly person before a court of com- 
petent jurisdiction, and said child upon conviction may 
be sentenced, if a white boy, to the Alabama Boys' In- 
dustrial School ; or if a white girl, to the Mercy Home 
and Industrial School ; or if a negro boy, to the Ala- 
bama Reform School for Juvenile Negro Law-Breakers ; 
or if a negro girl, to such custodial institution in the 
State as the judge may designate, and for such time as 
the court may decide; provided, that the maintenance 
of such child in the institution shall be paid as the law 
provides for the maintenance of such as are committed 
to the aforesaid institutions, and in all cases where a 
child is so committed, it shall be placed in charge of 
some suitable person designated by the court and con- 
veyed under his direction to the designated institution, 
and the actual necessary expenses thereby incurred 
shall be paid by the board of county commissioners or 
the county board of revenue; provided, that a woman 
shall always be sent to accompany girls so committed. 

12. That the attendance officer, whose appointment is 
by this act provided for, shall keep an accurate record 
of all notices served, all cases prosecuted, and all other 
services performed, and shall make an annual report of 
the same to the county board of education, or in the case 
of an incorporated city or town, to the city or town 
board of education by whom he is employed^ Said at- 
tendance officers who are appointed by the county board 
of education shall receive from the county treasury not 
more than three dollars for each day of actual service, 
and the attendance officers appointed by the board of ed- 
ucation of any incorporated city or town shall receive 
from the treasury of said city or town not more than 
three dollars for each day of actual service. Said atten- 



36 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

dance officers shall be paid as other employees of the 
county or of the incorporated cities or towns, as the case 
may be, are paid; provided, that no attendance officer 
shall receive any compensation under the provisions of 
this act until he shall have filed an itemized statement of 
the time employed in such service and until the samt' 
shall have been certified to by the county superintendent 
of education or by the secretary of the board of educa- 
tion in an incorporated city or town, as the case may be, 
in which said attendance officer is employed, provided 
further, that no attendance officer shall be paid for more 
days service in any one year than the number of days 
the school is in session that year. 

13. That in order that the provisions of this act may 
be more definitely enforced, the county superintendent 
of education shall, not later than ten days before the 
compulsory attendance term, furnish to each principal 
teacher of a rural school, and to the superintendent or 
principal of the school or schools in any incorporated 
city or town, a list of all the children from eight to fif- 
teen years of age, inclusive, who should attend the school 
or schools under the charge of the said principal teacher 
of a rural school, or of the superintendent or principal 
of a school or schools in any incorporated city or town, 
as the case may be, giving the name, date of birth, age, 
sex, race, and estimated distance from the school house 
by the nearest traveled road, the name and address of 
parents, guardian, or other person in parental relation- 
ship. 

14. That the information required under section 13 
shall be prepared by the county superintendent of educa- 
tion during the even numbered years, from the census 
booklets on file in his office, and in the odd numbered 
years, it shall be prepared by the county superintendent 
of education by correcting and supplementing the list 
prepared and furnished by him the preceding year; and 
to this end the district trustee or trustees of any rural 
school, and the secretary of the board of education in 
any incorporated city or town, shall furnish to the conn- 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 37 

ty superintendent of education on or before the fifteenh 
day of August of each odd numbered year, a list of all 
pupils who have removed from the bounds of the 
school or schools, as the case may be, and an additional 
list giving the name, date of birth, age, sex, race, and 
estimated distance from the school house by the nearest 
traveled road, and the name and address of the parent, 
guardian, or other person in parental relationship of 
those pupils who have moved within the bounds of the 
school or have become eight years of age since the last 
school census. 

Approved September 15. 1915. 

This bill, which does not become effective until Oct. 1, 1917, pro- 
vides for compulsory education of a mild type. The attendance pe- 
riod is eighty days in length, though the county board of education 
has the authority to decrease it to sixty days for ^ny particular 
school. The compulsory period begins at the opening of the school 
in the fall, unless the county board of education decides upon some 
other date, and the compulsory ages are from eight to fifteen years 
inclusive. Certain children are excepted, namely, those v^rho have 
finished the seven elementary grades; those living tw^o and a half 
miles or more from the nearest school, unless transportation is pro- 
vided; those physically or mentally incapacitated; those unable to 
attend school on account of poverty; those attending private and 
parochial schools. Attendance officers are provided to investigate 
cases of non-attendance referred to them by the teachers or by the 
superintendent or by the board. Children vi^ho become habitual tru- 
ants may be committed to State institutions for juvenile ofi'enders 
and parents and other parties violating this law^ may be fined or 
imprisoned. 

Every- state in the Union has compulsory education except Mis- 
sissippi and Georgia, and many of the states have had such a lavv^ 
since the beginning of their public school systems. The rate of illit- 
eracy among white children from ten to twenty years of age is 
much greater in Alabama than in most of the states of the Union. 
These white children are therefore greatly handicapped in the com- 
petition in life. The average man in the United States today, all 
races included, has received approximately 1,000 days' schooling. 
The boys receiving no schooling are absolutely unable to compete 
with their fellows, and the entire state suffers in consequence. Ev- 
ery intelligent person knows that a man with an education, even 



38 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

though it be but an elementary education, can produce mora and 
better crops on a given tract of land than a man with no education. 
Similar argument applies with equal force to girls. The prosperity 
of Alabama, which is largely agricultural, depends upon the size of 
the crop that can be raised by the individual farmer. The purpose 
of this law, therefore, is merely to guarantee to every white child a 
reasonable amount of educational opportunity which the State has 
provided for him. 



No. 629.) (S. Ifl. 

AN ACT 

To amend article 31, chapter 41, of the Code of Alabama, 1907. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

That article thirty-one (31) of chapter forty-one (41) 
of the Code of Alabama of 1907 be and the same is here- 
by amended so as to read as follows : 

1. That the sum of |134,000 shall be appropriated an- 
nuall^^ for the purpose of aiding in the erection, repair 
and equipment of rural schoolhouses in this State from 
any funds in the treasury not otherwise expended, pro- 
vided however that $67,000 of the above appropriation 
shall act so as to decrease the amount that may be ap- 
propriated to the general educational fund to that ex- 
tent, and provided further that not more than |2,000 of 
this annual appropriation shall be used or paid out in 
any one county of this State in one fiscal year except 
the fund arising from unexpended balances as herein- 
after provided. 

2. That three or more citizens of any rural community 
or any incorporated town in this State whose popula- 
tion does not exceed 400 according to the Federal cen- 
sus, where it is proposed to erect a school building ac- 
cording to the plans furnished by the State department 
of education or to repair or equip a school building ac- 
cording to plans approved by the State department of 
education, shall be eligible to make application to the 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 39 

coiiiitv board of education for aid for an amount not less 
than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand 
<lollars for the erection and equipment of a public school 
bnildin.u, for an amount not less than tifty dollars nor 
morc^ than two hundred dollars foi* the repair or equip- 
ment of a ])ublic school buildin<>; provided, that the 
apjdication shall show that bona tide donations of at 
least twice the amount for which aid is asked have al- 
ready l)een secured, and the application shall also con- 
tain a description of the plot of land uytim which the 
jtublic school' buildinij;' for which aid is souiiht is located 
or is to be erected; provided further, that the maximum 
amount for which application is made for the erection 
and equipment of a school building shall not exceed 
three hundred dollars for a school building with one 
class room, four hundred fifty dollars for a school build- 
ing with two class rooms, six hundred dollars for a 
school building with three class rooms, eight hundred 
dollars for a school building with four class rooms, and 
one thousand dollars for a school building with five or 
more class rooms. 

3. That the county board of education shall consider 
all applications filed, shall approve such as seem most 
worthy under such regulations, as may be prescribed by 
the State superintendent of education, and shall keep a 
record of the proceedings showing the applications ap- 
proved by the board, the amount of the bona fide dona- 
tions and the amount which the board recommends to be 
given to any school. The county board of education 
shall certify to the State superintendent of educatitm 
the amount of donations which have been paid over to 
the county treasurer of public school funds; and that 
a deed in fee simple to not less than two acres of land, if 
for the repair or equipment of any school building or for 
the erection of a school building with not more than two 
class rooms^ and of not less than live acres of land for 
a school building containing three or more classrooms 
has been executed to the vState of Alabama; and said 
certiticate shall also show the amount of money recom- 
mended to be given to the school ; provided, that the deed 



40 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

or deeds conveying the title to the property shall accom- 
pany the certification made to the State superintendent 
of education and shall remain on file in his office. 

4. That before approving any application for aid 
which has been properly certified to him the State super- 
intendent of education shall satisfy himself that the 
conditions of this act have been fully complied with. If 
he approves the application as certified to him by the 
county board of education he shall request the State au- 
ditor to draw his warrant on the State treasurer for the 
amount for which the application is approved. The State 
auditor shall draw his warrant on the State treasurer 
for the amount of money to be given to the school as 
shown by the requisition of the State superintendent, 
making the warrant payable to the county treasurer of 
public school funds of the county wherein the school is 
located and shall indicate thereon for the benefit of what 
public school the same is issued. The warrant shall be 
delivered to the State superintendent of education who 
shall forward the same to the county treasurer of public 
school funds of the county wherein the school receiving 
the aid is located and shall also notify the county board 
of education of that fact, provided, that all persons re- 
ceiving any warrant or the proceeds thereof issued under 
this act shall issi.ie a receipt to the person from whom he 
receives the same. 

5. That the erection, repair, and equipment of any 
school building under the provisions of this act shall be 
under the direction and control of the county board of 
education. To this end the board shall authorize all con- 
tracts and shall order the county treasurer of public 
school funds to make payment of the amount due under 
any contract, provided, that not more than two-thirds of 
the total amount for the erection, repair, or equipment 
of any school building, including the donations and the 
amount received from the State, shall be paid out until 
the inspection required under section 6 of this act has 
been made and approval certified to the county treasurer 
of public school funds and to the county board of educa- 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 41 

tion ; and provided further, that the State warrant, is- 
sued under the provisions of this act, shall not be cashed 
until inspection has been made and approval certified by 
the State superintendent of education. 

6. That whenever the county board of education shall 
certify to the State superintendent of education that the 
school building for which State aid is appropriated is 
completed and all equipment is in place or repairs made 
and that all indebtedness on the school building, equip- 
ment or repairs has been paid except such an amount as 
will be satisfied by the funds remaining in the hands of 
the county treasurer of public school funds, the State 
superintendent of education shall inspect or delegate 
some one to inspect the work done and equipment in- 
stalled, and if such meets all requirements of the provis- 
ions under which State aid was granted, he shall author- 
ize the county treasurer of public school funds in writ- 
ing to pay out the remainder of the funds upon the order 
of the county board of education. 

7. The State superintendent of education shall open 
an account with each county in the State in a book kept 
by him for that purpose and shall charge against the 
county the amount of each warrant issued under this 
act for the benefit of the public schools of such county ; 
provided, that any warrant not cashed by the county 
treasurer of public school funds by reason of failure to 
comply with the requirements of this act shall, after the 
lapse of twelve months from the issuance of the same, be 
by him returned to the State. superintendent of educa- 
ion, who shall mark the same "cancelled'' and shall also 
make in the book kept by him in accordance with the 
preceding section a credit entry in favor of the county 
for which the warrant was originally drawn for the 
amount of any warrant so cancelled. 

8. That the unexpended balances, as shown by the 
book kept by the State superintendent of education 
which have accrued to the several counties of the State 
from the rural school house fund provided in sections 
1975 to 1993 inclusive of article 81 of the Code of Ala- 



42 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

bama of 1907, shall upon the first day of October, 1915, 
be re-apportioned equally to the several counties of the 
State, and thereafter the unexpended balances, as shown 
by the books kept by the State superintendent of educa- 
tion in accordance with section 7 of this act, at the end 
of each and every fiscal year shall be re-apportioned 
equally among all the counties of the State in addition 
to the regular annual appropriation of $2,000; provid- 
ed, that the State superintendent of education shall on 
the first day of October, or as early thereafter as prac- 
ticable, make the apportionment herein required and 
certify the same to the State auditor. 

9. That any person or persons who shall knowingly 
use or apply, or authorize the use or application of the 
proceeds or any part thereof of any funds authorized un- 
der this act for any purpose or purposes other than as re- 
quired by said act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and 
on conviction shall be fined not less than |200 nor more 
than .|1,000 and may also be sentenced to hard labor for 
the county for not more than twelve months, 

10. That this act shall become effective the first day 
of October, 1915, and all laws or parts of laws in conflict 
with the provisions of the same be and are hereby re- 
pealed. 

Approved September 22, 1915. 

Under this law the annual appropriation for rural schoolhouses 
is increased from $1,000 to each county to $2,000 to each county, 
and the fund may be used not- only for the erection and repair but 
also for the equipment of rural school buildings. Under the old 
law, $200 was the maximum appropriation to any school without 
regard to size; under this law, aid in the erection and equipment 
of a building is given according to its size, the maximum being as 
follows: For a one-room building, $300; for a two-room building, 
$450; for a three-room building, $600; for a four-room building, 
$800; for a building of five or more classrooms, $1,000. Before re- 
ceiving aid, however, the county board of education must have in 
hand not less than twice the amount for which aid is sought, and a 
deed in fee simple to not less than two acres of land for a building 
with fewer than three classrooms, and to five acres of land for a 
building with three or more classrooms. 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA. 1915 43 

For the repair and equipment of a public school building, the min- 
imum is $50.00 and the maximum $200, with the sAme requirements 
as to a deed to property as in the case of applications for the erec- 
tion and repair of school buildings. This law, unlike the one it dis- 
places, will encourage the consolidation of schools in the rural sec- 
tions of the State. In granting aid the law recognizes the principle 
of self-help, and for each dollar donated by the State, the commu- 
nity must raise at least two dollars. 

The machinery for giving aid has been strengthened in such a 
way as to avoid imposition, which often resulted under the old law, 
there being no authority for checking up the improvements before 
aid was granted. Aside from the larger bonus and the recognition 
given to the larger type of building, the law has also been strength- 
ened so as to guarantee a businesslike expenditure of the funds to 
be used. At the end of every year the money remaining to the 
credit of every county is not allowed to accumulate in the treasury, 
but is reapportioned to all the counties of the State so as to extend 
its benefits as widely and as rapidly as possible. 



No. 673.) (H. 1554. 

AN ACT 

To provide for the holding of teachers' institutes in this State, to 
authorize the employment of institute conductors, and to make 
necessary appropriations for the same. 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 

1. That the sum of $6,500 be appropriated annually 
out of the general educational fund for the purpose of 
defraying the expenses of holding and conducting insti- 
tutes for the teachers of this State. 

2. That a teachers' institute shall be held each year 
in the several counties of the State or such groups of 
counties as the State superintendent of education may 
designate. The time for holding the institutes shall be 
fixed by the State superintendent of education after con- 
sultations with the county boards of education con- 
cerned. 

3. That for the purpose of conducting these institutes, 
the State superintendent of education is authorized to 



44 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

employ persons of recognized ability to conduct the same 
under his direction, and to pay the persons so employed 
such salaries and expenses as may be required and as 
the funds will permit. 

4. That it is hereby made the duty of teachers to at- 
tend an institute for four full days in each scholastic 
year, and no teacher shall be employed in any elemen- 
tary or high school supported" in whole or in part from 
public funds, unless such teacher shall file with the 
board of education of the county or the incorporated city 
or town, as the case may be, a certificate showing that 
such teacher has attended a county institute for four 
full days within twelve months next preceding the date 
such teacher is to begin work under his contract, or that 
such teacher has attended an institution of higher learn- 
ing and pursued a course of professional study for at 
least three weeks during the scholastic year in which 
the institute is held ; provided that the State superinten- 
dent of education shall have power to excuse teachers 
from institute attendance for extraordinary reasons, and 
to this end he shall make rules and regulations govern- 
ing the same; provided further, that the signed state- 
ment of the State superintendent of education that any 
teacher is excused by him shall be accepted in lieu of the 
certificate of institute attendance required in this sec- 
tion. 

5. That the county board of education and the boards 
of education of all incorporated cities and towns shall 
cause all the schools under their control for any race for 
which a teachers' institute is being held in a county or in 
a group of counties, to be suspended during the time of 
the holding of such institute, and the contract of any 
teacher who fails to attend an institute so held shall 
thereby be voided, unless the person conducting said 
institute shall file with the county superintendent of ed- 
ucation a written statement that he has excused, for 
good and sufficient reasons, the teacher failing to attend 
said institute. The conductor of any institute shall issue 
a certificate of attendance to each teacher attending the 
sessions of the institue, and shall make in duplicate a 



SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 45 

list of all teachers present at the institute for the re- 
quired time and of those excused by him, and he shall file 
a copy of said list with the county superintendent of ed- 
ucation and shall send the original to the State superin- 
tendent of education. 

6. That each teacher attending an institute shall pay 
to the county superintendent of education a fee of not 
less than fifty cents and not more than a dollar, which 
shall be used to supplement the State fund appropriated 
by this act for the maintenance of teachers' institutes. 

7. That the funds appropriated under this act shall be 
used for the payment of the salaries and expenses of the 
institute conductors and for such other expenses as may 
be necessary to make this act of the greatest benefit to 
the teachers of the State; and the State auditor shall, 
upon the approval of the State superintendent of educa- 
tion, issue warrants on the State treasury for said sala- 
ries and expenses ; provided that the institute conductor 
shall be paid as other State officers are paid; provided 
further that all unexpended balances remaining to the 
credit of the institute fund for the year ending Sept. 30, 
1915, shall be conveyed into the State treasury, to be 
drawn out upon the requisition of the State superinten- 
dent of education in the same manner that the appropri- 
ation under this act is drawn, and all unexpended bal- 
ances after the above date at the end of any fiscal year 
shall remain to the credit of said institute fund, to be 
expended in any following year. 

8. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this 
act be and the same are hereby repealed. 

Approved Sept. 23, 1915. 

This law makes no additional appropriation to the State institute 
fund, but it does change somewhat the plan for the conduct of the 
institutes. Heretofore they could be held only in the months of 
July, August, September and October. Under this law the insti- 
tutes may be held in any county of the State at such a time during 
the year as the State Superintendent of Education, after advising 
with the county board of education, may designate. It also pro- 



46 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 

vides that schools in any county where an institute its being held, 
shall be suspended during the week of the institute, and the county 
board may in its discretion grant teachers so attending whose 
schools have been suspended, pay as for time taught. It is be- 
lieved that by the operation of this law the few defects in the old 
plan will be remedied, and that the law will be much more practical 
and helpful since the institutes may be held during term time. 



'^A 






